Dada-disability And Deaf Arts

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £332,174 (2024)
• Geographic Focus: North West England (primarily Liverpool) with international reach
• Grant Range: £300 - £2,500 (artist commissions)
• Typical Commissions: £1,000 (Micro Commissions), £2,500 (Festival Commissions)
• Decision Time: Approximately 2-3 weeks
• Application Method: Rolling artist calls (periodic open calls)

Contact Details

Address: Liverpool, North West England

Website: www.dadafest.co.uk

Email: info@dadafest.co.uk

Phone: 0151 707 1733

Commissions Contact: commissions@dadafest.co.uk

Overview

DADA-DISABILITY AND DEAF ARTS (operating as DaDaFest and DaDa) was established in 1984 and registered as a charity in 1992 (Charity Number: 1014390). Celebrating 40 years in 2024, DaDa is the UK's longest-running disability arts organization, having hosted 13 international festivals with over 500 events celebrating disabled artists. The organization is a disability and Deaf arts agency providing opportunities for Disabled and Deaf people through its biennial DaDaFest International festival in Liverpool and across the North West. With an annual income of £332,174 (2024), DaDa receives substantial government funding (88% of income) and is supported by Arts Council England and Liverpool City Council. In December 2024, the organization appointed Zoe Partington as its new CEO to lead the organization into its next phase of development.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Festival Commissions

• Amount: Up to £2,500 per commission (typically 4 awarded)
• Purpose: Create digital artworks for DaDaFest International Festival
• Eligibility: Established D/deaf or disabled artists and disabled-led companies
• Support: Production advice, professional development, access support
• Application: Periodic calls via online form, video/audio (max 10 minutes), or BSL submission

Micro Commissions (in partnership with Unlimited)

• Amount: Up to £1,000 per commission (typically 10 awarded)
• Purpose: Create digital artworks
• Eligibility: D/Deaf and disabled artists who live and/or work in the North West
• Support: Production advice via online resources, video calls, emails using text, voice, and BSL
• Application: Download form, video/audio (max 5 minutes), or BSL submission

DaDa Fellows Programme

• Type: 2-year creative development fellowship
• Purpose: Enhance creative practice, build confidence, develop skills to drive change for disabled people in the arts
• Support: Creative development bursary, mentoring, professional development
• Selection Criteria: Passion for social justice and demonstrated ability to creatively advance equality
• Current Fellows: 8 artists including Amina Atiq, Porcelain Delaney, Adam Fenton, Rhiannon May, Kadisha Kayani, Letty McHugh, and Chris Shapiro

Young DaDaFest and Rookies Programme

• Eligibility: Under 30 years of age, disabled or D/deaf
• Support: Development grants, training, mentoring, placements, Young Leaders programme
• Purpose: Increase employability within the creative sector
• Typical Awards: £300-£1,500 (maximum £2,000)

Priority Areas

• Disability and Deaf arts from diverse cultural perspectives
• Digital and innovative art forms
• Projects addressing social justice and equality themes
• Work that challenges negative perceptions of disability
• Disability-led creative projects demonstrating quality and ambition
• Artist development and professional skills building
• Youth engagement (ages 12-30)

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not comprehensively documented, but commissions focus on:

• Individual disabled, Deaf, or neurodivergent artists
• North West-based artists (for Micro Commissions)
• Projects that embed accessibility in the creative process

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Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership

CEO: Zoe Partington (appointed December 2024)

• International consultant and speaker on Disability Art, heritage and architecture
• Co-director of Disordinary Architecture
• Practising disabled artist with lived experience of sight loss and chronic conditions
• Henry Moore Fellowship awardee
• Author working on book about female disabled sculptors and artists
• Quote: “I believe as disabled people we should not let fear hold us back from striking out and being at the centre of decision making in the cultural sector - our voices are often ignored, we will change this together in partnerships and with allies”

Former Artistic Director: Canon Ruth Gould MBE DL FRSA WCMT (left after nearly 20 years, 2001-2020)

• Founded DaDaFest in 2001
• Awarded MBE in 2016 for prominent career in disability arts
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts
• Deputy Lieutenant for Merseyside
• Lay Canon at Liverpool Cathedral

Board of Trustees

Chair: Robert Martin

Board Members (as of 2024 expansion):

• Sally Gannon (new Chair, Strategic Planning Officer at Liverpool John Moores University)
• Laurence Clarke (award-winning stand-up comedian and writer)
• Dr. Erin Pritchard (senior lecturer in Disability Studies at Liverpool Hope University)
• Christine Bithell (artist and Community Engagement Development Manager)
• Barry Avison (Chair of Board of BSL Celebrations and Deaf Explorer)
• Mandy Redvers-Rowe (Edinburgh TV Festival nominated writer and Access Consultant)
• Alison Breadon
• Hormoz Ahmadzadeh
• Richard Jones
• Gill Hayes
• Maisy Gordon

Governance Structure:

• The majority of Trustees are disabled, Deaf, or neurodivergent
• Board represents diversity across sexuality and race
• Trustees serve 3-year terms with 12-month break requirement to maintain fresh perspectives
• Board brings expertise in legal, fundraising, and marketing areas

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted through periodic open calls announced on the DaDaFest website. For commissions, artists can apply through:

1. Written Application: Download and email application form to commissions@dadafest.co.uk
2. Video/Audio Proposal: Submit 5-minute proposal (Micro Commissions) or 10-minute proposal (Festival Commissions)
3. BSL Submission: Full British Sign Language submissions accepted

Application Requirements:

• Project summary and detailed proposal
• Timeline for project completion
• Budget breakdown (access costs can be included)
• Access considerations (embedded in creative process)
• Professional development plan
• Impact assessment
• Documentation of past work (for Festival Commissions - strong track record required)
• No website required if alternative evidence of work exists
• No match funding required

Support Available:

• Assistance with application access needs
• Contact commissions@dadafest.co.uk for help

Decision Timeline

• Application Period: Typically 6 weeks (e.g., June 8 - July 20)
• Panel Selection: Third week after deadline
• Decision Notification: 2-3 weeks after deadline (typically within 18 days)
• Project Timeline: Projects typically completed within 12-14 months

Selection Process

Applications reviewed by disability-led panel including:

• DaDaFest staff
• Partner organization staff (e.g., Unlimited)
• Independent disabled artists

Selection Criteria:

• Disability-led projects
• Artistic quality and innovation
• Alignment with festival theme
• Projects that stretch artistic practice
• Social justice element
• Demonstrated ambition
• Clear articulation of concept
• Long-term project impact potential

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies are not publicly documented. Artists are encouraged to contact DaDaFest directly for guidance on reapplying after unsuccessful applications.

Application Success Factors

What DaDaFest Values:

• Disability-Led Creativity: Projects that authentically represent disabled, Deaf, and neurodivergent perspectives
• Embedded Accessibility: Access considerations integrated into the creative process, not added as afterthought
• Innovation and Ambition: Work that pushes boundaries and demonstrates creative risk-taking
• Social Justice Focus: Projects that address inequality and challenge negative perceptions of disability
• Clear Vision: Well-articulated concepts with defined goals and impact
• Professional Development: Evidence of how the commission will advance artistic practice

Recent Themes and Focus Areas:

• “Translations” (2020/21 theme)
• “Rage: A Quiet Riot!” (2025 theme for 40th anniversary)
• Projects addressing equity and excellence in cultural landscape
• Work breaking down barriers for disabled art communities

Application Tips from DaDaFest:

• Clearly explain your project concept and its significance
• Demonstrate how the project will stretch your artistic practice
• Show understanding of embedding accessibility throughout the creative process
• Outline the potential long-term impact of your project
• Be specific about budget needs (access costs are supported)
• Don't assume you need a website - alternative evidence of work is acceptable
• Use format that works best for you (written, video, audio, BSL)

Success Rate Context:

• 100% of Young DaDaFest participants reported improved self-confidence and skills
• 80% of festival survey respondents said the work changed their perception of disability as a social issue
• Typically awards 4 Festival Commissions and 10 Micro Commissions per cycle

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Identity Requirement: You must be a disabled, Deaf, or neurodivergent artist to apply for DaDa opportunities
• Geographic Focus: Micro Commissions specifically target North West-based artists; Festival Commissions have broader reach
• Flexible Application Formats: Choose the format that works best for you - written, video, audio, or BSL
• Access is Central: Demonstrating embedded accessibility in your creative process is crucial, not optional
• Small but Supportive: Grants are modest (£300-£2,500) but come with production advice and professional development support
• Timing Matters: Applications are periodic, not rolling year-round - sign up for their mailing list to be notified of opportunities
• No Match Funding Required: You don't need to provide matching funds, and access costs are supported
• Track Record Counts: Festival Commissions require established artists with demonstrated strong track record; Micro Commissions are more accessible for emerging artists
• Social Justice Focus: Projects that address equality, challenge perceptions, and advance social change are prioritized
• Under 30? Explore Young DaDaFest and Rookies programme for age-specific opportunities

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• IN BETWEEN TIME
• The Garrick Charitable Trust
• The Biscuit Factory Foundation
• The National Foundation for Youth Music
• The Elmley Foundation (The Rt Hon Else Countess Beauchamp Deceased Charitable Trust)
• WE ARE UNLIMITED ARTS
• Two Ridings Community Foundation
• P H Holt Foundation
• GREENHAM TRUST LTD
• Ovingdean Hall Foundation

References

1. UK Charity Commission - DADA-DISABILITY AND DEAF ARTS (Charity Number 1014390): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/1014390/full-print

1. DaDaFest Official Website: www.dadafest.co.uk

1. DaDaFest Festival Commissions: https://www.dadafest.co.uk/artist-call-out/festival-commissions/

1. DaDaFest Micro Commissions FAQ: https://www.dadafest.co.uk/artist-call-out/micro-commissions/faq-micro-commissions/

1. DaDaFest Festival Commissions FAQ: https://www.dadafest.co.uk/artist-call-out/festival-commissions/faq-festival-commissions/

1. DaDaFest Artist Development Programmes: https://www.dadafest.co.uk/what-we-do/dada-artist-development/

1. DaDaFest Fellows Programme: https://www.dadafest.co.uk/people/fellows

1. DaDaFest Impact Page: https://www.dadafest.co.uk/who-we-are/impact/

1. DaDaFest Board Members: https://www.dadafest.co.uk/people/board

1. "Liverpool Disability Arts Organisation's Board Sees Huge Expansion," SME Business News, May 23, 2024: https://smebusinessnews.co.uk/2024/05/23/liverpool-disability-arts-organisations-board-sees-huge-expansion/

1. “DaDaFest marks 40th anniversary with new CEO appointment,” Bdaily, December 7, 2024: https://bdaily.co.uk/articles/2024/12/07/dadafest-marks-40th-anniversary-with-new-ceo-appointment

1. Zoe Partington Profile, DaDaFest: https://www.dadafest.co.uk/person/zoe-partington

1. DaDaFest Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DaDaFest

1. Young DaDaFest Programme: https://www.dadafest.co.uk/what-we-do/dadafest/young-dadafest/